Cinnamon Lakeside dedicates the month to a greener planet

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo commemorates World Environment Day by dedicating the month to sustainable initiatives.

The significance of World Environment Day has grown over the years highlighting the importance of a wide range of environmental issues we face today. Along with the rest of the globe the Hotel believes it is vital to do its best to contribute and reduce the environmental issues faced every day.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is reputed for its environment-friendly policies resulting in it being the first five star hotel in Colombo to receive the prestigious international Green Globe Certification and the only one to be re-certified the following year.

The hotel will focus its efforts this month to World Environment Day. It continues its efforts to be green by educating associates on the importance of caring for the environment. As a result a film on the ‘Preservation of our Planet’ was shown at the staff cafeteria along with a quiz encouraging associates to get involved and learn about the importance of caring for the environment. Additionally the Hotel has a seminar scheduled where an expert guest speaker will address employees and answer environment related questions.

The entire hotel has been involved in commemorating World Environment Day, with staff creating an eco friendly banner that is displayed outside the hotel to highlight the significance of the day, encouraging passersby to join in the mission on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cinnamonlakeside) to share tips on being greener.

The hotel also has an Electronic Waste Program which commenced in July 2011. It ensures that electrical equipment and electronics such as TV’s, DVD players, batteries and cartridges are recycled. The hotel’s Engineering Department collects the E-waste for recycling. The hotel works closely with Green Links Lanka to dispose of this E-waste in an ethical manner.

The hotel follows a set of Green Globe initiatives that contribute to creating a friendly environment. It believes in starting with its own actions before encouraging others, therefore an awareness creating programme was implemented on these issues, educating staff through training sessions and e-mails.

Throughout the Hotel associates ensure they do their part to help the environment. The hotel has put into place a towel and linen re-use program that guests can participate in voluntarily. Additionally, old linen is used to make laundry bags for the management.

A framed picture with eco friendly slogans is placed in all guest bathrooms to create guest awareness. The hotel also collects and uses rain water for gardening, installed energy saving bulbs and made telephone directories available only on request.

The hotel has several more plans to support the UN’s Environmental drive and it aims to spread the word through CSR activities in the neighbouring schools, beautifying the environment and being community friendly. Additionally the hotel maintains a collection of data detailing energy and water usage and material waste in operational areas in keeping with Green Globe Certification criteria.

On World Environment Day last year, the hotel embarked on a tree planting project with the vision of creating a friendlier environment for bird life by the Beira Lake. Fruit bearing trees were planted and places for the birds to perch were created. The plants now flourish in this newly created nature strip which is enjoyed not just by the birds, but by guests as well.